SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) — Question 11

The president of a large company is planning to retire soon. The president has been with the company for 40 years, the longest tenure of any employee in the company, and has been president for the last 10 years. In addition to replacing its top leader, the company is also in the midst of conducting strategic planning for the next three years. The HR director has been placed in charge of overseeing the selection and transition process for the new president and has organized a search committee consisting of external board members. The search committee has identified three internal candidates for the position and must move forward with the process of selecting one to be president.
What should the HR director do in order to decrease the likelihood of candidates not selected for the job becoming upset and leaving the company?

Answer options

• A. Develop a career path and development plan for all candidates to ensure they have a reason to stay.
• B. Suggest that the board of directors provide raises for all candidates regardless of whether they get the position.
• C. Meet with each candidate periodically to ensure they understand and are satisfied with the steps in the selection process.
• D. Suggest that the board of directors restructure the organization in such a way that all candidates will get a new position.

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is A because establishing a career path and development plan for all candidates provides them with a clear reason to stay with the company, regardless of the selection outcome. Options B and D offer financial incentives or organizational changes that may not address the candidates' long-term career goals. Option C, while beneficial for communication, does not provide the candidates with a tangible reason to remain with the company.